APNewsBreak: 8 arrests in 'New IRA' leaders' raid

DUBLIN 
Irish police say eight men have been charged with being members of the main Irish Republican Army faction following a raid on a Dublin meeting of suspected IRA leaders.

A senior Irish police officer has told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media that Friday's charges represent a major blow to the Dublin brigade of the outlawed "New IRA."

All eight men are being arraigned Friday night at Ireland's anti-terrorist court. The Special Criminal Court handles IRA-related cases with three judges and no jury.

Police say seven of the men were arrested at a meeting of Dublin IRA members, while the eighth was arrested near the scene of an IRA weapons dump. Police say they seized plastic explosives and pipe bombs.